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Missing Pets
(What to do when you've lost or found a pet)
Information, Resources, Missing Pet Photos
 
We try to make life safe for our pets, but sometimes, despite our best efforts, they get lost. When that happens, it's important to act immediately! Don't wait and assume they will find their way home. Here are some steps you can take to help locating your missing best friend:
If you've lost a pet:
First, contact your local shelters and animal control agencies. The three local agencies who receive stray animals appear below. Animals received at these agencies are held about a week (varies by agency). The Sacramento SPCA is required to hold stray animals for five days. Visit the shelters in person and ask to look at the strays picked up recently. Check back often as stray pets sometimes arrive weeks or months after they first disappear. Be sure to check the "pick up" list in the lobby which also details injured or deceased animals picked up by the shelter.
File a lost report with all the shelters and agencies that you visit. When you make an actual lost report, the more specific you can be when you describe your missing pet, the better. Give lots of detail and provide a photo if you can.
Search for your pet. Canvas the neighborhood, call and whistle. Injured, frightened or trapped animals might be encouraged to respond by the sound of your voice. Check with neighbors and friends.
Make flyers and post lost pet notices with photographs of your missing pet in stores, churches, libraries and around your neighborhood. Include the pet's name, photograph and description, along with your name, address, and contact information.
Watch the found pets column in the Sacramento Bee and other local newspapers.
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If your animal was picked up as a stray
in the County of Sacramento
it would go to:
County of Sacramento
Animal Care and Regulation
4290 Bradshaw Road
Sacramento, California 95827
(916) 875-5232
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If your animal was picked up as a stray
in Elk Grove or Rancho Cordova
it would go to:
Sacramento SPCA
6201 Florin Perkins Road
Sacramento, California 95828
(916) 383-7387
Note: The Sacramento SPCA does NOT accept
any stray animals found in the City or County of
Sacramento.
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If you've found a pet:
Do the obvious first. If the animal has an identification tag or license, you may contact the owner directly or contact the city from which the license was issued and ask them to contact the owner.
If you're in a position to care for an animal for awhile, contact all local animal control agencies and shelters (see list above) and complete a Found Report. Bring the pet to a local veterinarian or animal shelter to have it scanned for a microchip.
Make flyers with a photo of the animal, contact information for you, and date and location as to where the animal was found and post them everywhere. Beware of dishonest callers when searching for the animal's true owner. Withhold a few identifying characteristics on your found ad or flyer
so the owner has to provide a detailed description of the animal. Ask anyone claiming to be the animal's owner to provide a photo.
Place an advertisement in the newspaper. The Sacramento Bee offers free advertisements for found animals. To place your ad call (916) 321-1234.
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